For those who love small streams, wild trout, and life...in their simplest form

Monday, May 5, 2014

A Classic

Rough fast flowing boulder full streams. These are typical of many trout streams here in New England. These streams are home to both wild brook and brown trout. Living here these fish need be fast and strong to live their daily lives. Food when made available must be taken quickly. These are the waters of choice for me. And the type of fly I choose to fish is a dry fly. Fast runs and deep short soft pools are not the best place to float a dry fly. One needs a fly that will pop up and down and still remain visible. One that will remain floating as the current pulls and pushes at it and gives the look of an insect in deep trouble and very vulnerable.

This is such a fly...the Ausable Wulff. a classic.

A damp rainy September afternoon in 1964 on the banks of New York's west branch of the Ausable river the Ausable Wulff was first tied by Fran Betters. The first Wulffs were tied on big hooks, size 10. This was because the Ausable river is big, fast and and deep and such a fly was needed.

I'd like to tell you that the first trout taken on this fly was a monster, but that was not the case. About a half dozen 14 inch were first taken. And then a 21 inch brown trout struck the fly, in some rough stained water. It was that fish and thousands of trout later that keeps this Fran Betters pattern in my box. Some flies I tie I tinker with, adding something different, or perhaps removing a material. But the Ausable Wulff I tie true to pattern, just as Fran did. You can't alter perfection. There was something to the coloration Fran said to the materials when wet that worked.

24 comments:

Nice post. Good to learn where from these 'exotic' fly names come from. Tis on my to do list to learn to fly fish afore the year is out, and perhaps try to tie a few flies over winter for next year...I just think it would give an lovely warmth catching one of those jewels you show so well on something made by your own hands.

Now that I'm back on the creeks, I don't think there is anything as exciting than watching a floating dry being sucked off the surface even if it is by a dinky little 9 inch Rainbow or Brookie or Brown in your case.

AlanThat pattern is also excellent on our tailrace here, especially in the fast current section of the tailrace. I am so impressed with the Ausable. I know that takes patience and skill to fish a fast running stream such as the one in your image. One has to keep a constant eye on the fly and at the same time know when to set the hook; otherwise it results in a loss. I feel you and Mark have mastered that skill. Thanks for sharing

About Me

I have been fishing for more years that I want to say.
Fly fishing since the seventies.
I take the simple approach to fly fishing. Fly fishing need not be complicated.
Take the time to slow down on the water and look to the grand beauty out there in its most simple form.